Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 1144, Aliero, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.

01

Abstract

Securidaca longepedunculata is a tree that is most commonly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa. It is a relatively small tree, measuring 6 – 12 metres high. There are many different medicinal uses for this tree used all around Africa. It can be used to treat sicknesses as small as headaches or as severe as arthritis. The use of S. longepedunculata varies immensely. The roots of the tree can be used for treatments to human ailments such as coughs, chest complaints, toothaches, gout, fevers, constipation, diabetes and microbial infections. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce arthritic pains. Uses of this tree vary across different countries. This study established the LD50 for both aqueous and methanol roots extract using oral and intra-peritoneal routes respectively, investigated the anti-malarial and the anti-trypanosomal effects of the plant in mice. Swiss albino mice (19-23 g) of both sexes were used to perform a four day suppressive standard test and employing chloroquine sensitive P. berghei NK 65 strain. Thin smears of blood films were obtained from the tail end of each mouse on day 4 after infection and treatments. The smears were placed on microscopic slides, fixed with methanol and stained with 10% Gemsa at pH 7.2 for 15 minutes, and examined under the microscope at X 100 magnification to assess the level of parasitemia. For anti-trypanosomal screening, thirty healthy Swiss albino mice of both sexes were randomly selected and divided weight dependently into groups of 5 mice each, consisting of three methanol extracts groups of 5%, 10%, and 20% of the extract’s LD50 which is equivalent to (0.14, 0.28, & 0.56 mg/kg) respectively, and also a standard control drug (diminazene aceturate 3.5 mg/kg), infected and not treated group and no infection no treatment group. Except the no infection no treatment group, all other groups were infected with T. brucei. Invariably, each animal received inoculums of about 1.0 x 107 parasites per gramme body weight through needle passage and produced parasitaemia in the mice. On commencement of the medications (i.e. at peak parasitaemia) the methanol root extract of S. longepedunculata was given to the three groups in divided doses for seven days and the diminazene aceturate was given to the standard group at a therapeutic dose of 3.5 mg/kg just once, while the infected not treated and the no infection no treatment received no treatment, all the drugs were given through intra-peritoneal routes after confirming parasitaemia:

This paper sets out to apply a newly developed panel unit root and cointegration approach to the time series of some selected Sub-Saharan African macroeconomic variables as affected by global oil price fluctuations. We consider five countries each from importing and exporting countries in Africa. The cross sections considered were; (exporting countries: Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, Libya, Egypt) importing countries: Ghana, Cameroun, Cote Devoir Rwanda and Benin. The empirical result revealed long run equilibrium relationship among GDP, exchange rate, unemployment and oil prices. The long run normalised equation shows that oil price fluctuation negatively affect GDP and exchange rate, while positively affect exchange rate and unemployment though that of unemployment is not significant at 5%.pairwise granger causality test statistics indicates short run causality running from oil price to variables under investigation, the lingering effect is more severe in importing nations going by the magnitude of the coefficients of the long run equation, this explain theoretical and practical implication of the major oil price shock on the economy of the importing nations. Hence, we recommend effective utilisation of the excess crude oil benefit during boom especially for exporting nations, secondly, oil producing nations in Africa should take a bold step towards self-sufficient in refined product so as to export the excess to their neighbouring African nations, this will go a long way in ameliorating the major external shock to the African importing nations through cut in cost of transportation and other tariffs from western world.

This study examined livelihood strategies and their contribution to poverty reduction among farming households in Southern Kaduna. Primary data employed in the study was obtained from 164 farming households selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. The data was analyzed using the following tools: descriptive statistics and Censored Tobit regression Model. The study revealed that the major factors which negatively influence the choice oflivelihood strategies was household size and nearness to market while factors such as age, gender, education, income of the farmer and credit received had positive effects on the adoption of the livelihood strategy respectively. The relative contribution of non-farm income to livelihood diversification amounted to about 56.14% of total household income while about 43.86% of the total household income was from farm income sources. It was found that the major constraint to livelihood diversification were lack of access to formal loans. Therefore, from a policy perspective, state government should try as a matter of urgency to provide quality education to her citizens in the study areas.. This is because households with more educated members tend to be more efficient in agricultural production or off farm activities. Also, there is the need for government to empowerwomen in terms of equal access to productive resources and employment opportunities. This could increase the off-farm activities that could generate more income thereby enhancing poverty reduction among households. Furthermore, government at the State level should provide sufficient resources to develop infrastructure, organize public services and implement development programs in the study areas.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC STAFF’S LEVEL OF EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND THEIR ADOPTION OF ELECTRONIC LEARNING OR INSTRUCTION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN JIGAWA STATE, DUTSE, NIGERIA

ADAMU MOHAMMED ASHIRU

School of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instructions, Federal College Of Education, Zaria.

04

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in two higher institutions of learning in Jigawa state Dutse, Nigeria. They were purposely selected because, at the time of the study was carried out. They were the only higher institutions in Jigawa state Dutse with e- learning program. A sample of 150 academic was randomly selected to participate in the study. Putting into consideration that many factors affects e-learning the current study explored only three psycho- social factors. Specifically, the study was carried out to answer the question, what is the relationship between academic staffs level of emotional regulation and their adoption of electronic learning or instruction in higher institutions in Jigawa State Dutse. Nigeria? A cross-sectional co relational survey design was used, taking a quantitative approach. The data were analyzed using person’s linear correction co-efficient. The findings were that the relationship between academic staffs level of emotional regulation and their adoption of electronic learning or instruction in higher institutions in Jigawa state Dutse, Nigeria was significant (sig. 0.003). It was concluded that whereas many factors affect the adoption of e-learning in the context of Jigawa state Duste in Nigeria, the high level of emotional regulation of the academic in higher educational institutions in Jigawa state Dutse, has contributed much to the academic adoption of electronic learning or instruction in their respective institutions.

GEOSPATIAL APPLICATION IN FLOOD RISK AND VULNERABILITY MAPPING AS A TOOL FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT (A CASE STUDY OF PART OF RAFIN ZURFI AND GWALLAMEJI)

ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI YAKUBU

Department of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bauchi State

05

ABSTRACT

This paper is aimed at mapping flood vulnerable area of part of Rafin Zurfi and Gwallameji for effective disaster management using geospatial application. Lack of awareness on the danger of flooding leads to erection of building at the banks of the river and improper waste disposal by the people which are one of cause of flood within the study area. Therefore this paper highlighted some of the causes, types, effects and control measures of flooding. Satellite imagery of the study area was downloaded, Georeferrenced and digitized. The spatial data was acquired using total station and the average heights of water using a meter road. The volumes of the water for the period of three months were determined, and the acquired field data were processed, analyzed, queried and the streem was buffered using the proximity analysis tool in ArcGIS 9.2 version. A digital map showing the buildings that were prone to flooding was produced. It is recommended that authority concerned should initiate public awareness to that occupant of such buildings on the dangers causes, effect of flooding.

Many people are faced with the problem of processing and decision making based on some choices. This problem increases when it involves choosing alternatives based on multiple criteria. This paper applied fuzzy set approach to study data in order to make decision(s) under multiple criteria. The level of deciding whether a particular business is profitable or not to individual(s) and organization(s) was considered .The resultant model was implemented using visual basic programming language .The concept of fuzzy similarity degree was used to determine the conformity level set of businesses. The result of the simulation showed that it is very efficient to use in terms of decision making concept. The notation of membership function was also used to arrive at a model that was implemented to determine the level of commitment of members to the business. The result of the implementation showed that the decision taken was consistent with one another. It also shows that the level of commitment of individual could be determined quantitatively.

Keywords: Decision, Approach, Criteria, Alternatives.

THE CREDIBILITY OF COOPERATIVE THRIFT AND CREDIT SOCIETY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY

Given the fact that all attempts to address the economic problems affecting the Nigerian society seem to be failing which is worsened by the present destabilization in the banking sector, it becomes imperative that all stakeholders take urgent steps that can quickly address the situation. It is in the light of this that, this paper discusses how the cooperative thrift and credit society can be used as an alternative means of economic development in Nigerian. The paper notes that cooperative thrift and credit society which is not a new innovation in African counties including Nigeria can be effectively used to tackle the problems of economic breakdown in Nigeria. The paper thus examines how this cooperative venture can be used for this noble purpose. Consequently, practical recommendations are made to effectively achieve the objectives of economic reforms in Nigeria through thrift and credit cooperative societies.

Securidaca longepedunculata is a savannah shrub commonly used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria; the plant is reputed to have over one hundred medicinal indications. In this investigation, its safety was established by determining the median lethal dose as 2.8 mg/kg body weight. The trypanocidal activity was studied using Swiss albino mice of both sexes: The animals were randomly selected and divided weight dependently into groups of 5 mice each, consisting of three methanol extracts groups of 5%, 10%, and 20% of the extract’s LD50 which is equivalent to (0.14, 0.28, & 0.56 mg/kg) respectively, and also a standard control drug (diminazene aceturate 3.5 mg/kg), infected and not treated group and no infection no treatment group. Except the no infection no treatment group, all other groups were infected with T. brucei. Invariably, each animal received inoculums of about 1.0 x 107 parasites per gramme body weight through needle passage and produced parasitaemia in the mice. On commencement of the medications (i.e. at peak parasitaemia) the methanol root extract of S. longepedunculata was given to the three groups in divided doses as shown below for seven days and the diminazene aceturate was given to the standard group at a therapeutic dose of 3.5 mg/kg just once, while the infected not treated and the no infection no treatment received no treatment, all the drugs were given through intra-peritoneal routes after confirming parasitaemia.The diminazine treated group cleared all the parasites the next day and there was no relapse parasitaemia, while dose dependent decrease in the parasites was observed in the extract treated groups but there was gradual relapse parasitaemia in the methanol extract treated groups probably due to the crude nature of the extract. However, S. longepedunculata root extract is perceived to be useful in the treatment of various ailments but should be used with caution particularly on chronic administration like in diabetic, cancer or hypertensive treatment.

A STUDY OF THE QUALITY OF PROPERTY VALUATION REPORT IN KADUNA METROPOLIS

The study examines clients’ perception of the quality of valuation reports in kaduna metropolis with a view to examining their satisfaction level and thus improving on the quality of the valuers’ reports. The survey method employ the use of self administered questionnaire coupled with interview to obtain the relevant data. A total of 15 Banks and 20 estate surveying and valuation firms were studied. Data collected were analyzed using tables and relative importance index. The result of the examination of 18 valuers’ reports in comparison with the standard expected shows that valuers’ reports were meeting the standard. The result also showed 53.3% of the banks are at least satisfied with overall contents of their valuation reports. However the examination of clients’ needs revealed that they would prefer to see more details on the reports. The result shows that “clients demands more information on the larger property market and valuation calculation to convince them on how the valuers arrived at the value; a portion stating the complexity of the market and the position of the property in the market; more emphases on the analytical aspects of the valuation and the estate surveyors and valuers should state how certain they are about the valuation figures”. The study concluded that there should be greater understanding between the clients and estate surveyors with respect to the needs of the clients in the area of valuation reports as well as greater understanding of the limitation of the value figure.

The paper examines the roles of cooperative societies can act as a catalyst towards sustainable economic development. The paper is a descriptive research, which involve the collection of data for the aim of describing the role of cooperative societies have been an effective ways for people to exert control over their economic livelihoods as they play a role in facilitating job creation, meeting members pressing needs and economic growth and development. In conclusion the paper describes that for cooperative societies to play a role in economic growth and development for societies to be effective and successful, they must continuously achieve two interrelated goals, enhance viability and also improve service to their members, remain economically viable innovative and also competitive enterprise.

THE IMPACT OF BOARD STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION ON FIRM PERFORMANCE ABSRACT

ISAH MOHAMMED DAMAGUM

Department of Accounting, Federal

11

ABSTRACT

Conservative financial performance measurement apparatus used to assess the welfare of a company include Earnings per share (EPS) Return on capital investment (ROCE) and Return on Equity (ROE). These methods of measuring performance have been criticized because they emphasis too much on financial measures and little emphasis on drivers of value such as employees, innovation, products quality and board composition This descriptive empirical study uses multiple regression models to test the relationship between variables using SPSS, the results shows mixed relationship between board composition and financial performance.

Keywords: Board structure and firm performance

A GENDERED ANALYSIS OF EDUCATIONAL / OCCUPATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ACCESS TO DEMOSTIC SERVANT / NETWORK OF SUPPORT OF SINGLE PARENTS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

OPARA, INNOCENT. E. (PhD)

Department of Geography, Federal College of Education, Zaria

12

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine educational and occupational characteristics, access to domestic servant/network of support for assistance of single parents who are heads of household with children in Imo State, with a view to comparing years of schooling, access to formal sector employment, access to domestic servant/network of support for assistance of male single parents and female single parents. The study relied on State level data obtained through the administration of 686 questionnaires in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo State. The LGAs were sampled on the basis of two LGAs per senatorial district. The LGAs were arranged in alphabetical order and six LGAs were chosen. Eighteen communities were sampled, three from each of the sampled LGAs. Of the 686 questionnaires of single parent household heads sampled, 490 questionnaire were returned and found adequate for the analysis indicating a completion rate of 71.4%. The questionnaires were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. The results show that almost all the single parents have formal education with both male and female single parents having years of schooling above eleven years; trading and business is the largest employer of female heads of households. The conclusions to be drawn from this study are that males/females single parents in Imo State show no significant difference in years of schooling; females single parents have significantly higher access to formal sector employment and higher access to access to network of support for assistance servants than their female counterparts. Such analysis identifies and quantifies gender mainstreaming easier to accomplish. The study recommended among others the need for the state authorities to ensure that critical factors relating to the business environment in Imo State are addressed as majority of the parents are with the informal sector so as to reduce the cost of doing business.

Keywords: Gendered Analysis; Single Parents; Educational and Occupational Characteristic, Access to Domestic Servant/Network of Support

DURABILITY PROPERTIES OF METAKAOLIN BASED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE MADE WITH RECYCLED CONCRETE AGGREGATE

Geopolymer is an amorphous polymer formed through the ionic bonding reaction between alumina-silicate materials of by-product (industrial or agricultural) or geological origin such as metakaolin. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) was introduced by Davidovits to reduce the use of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in concrete. In this research recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) a waste generated from construction and demolition activities was used to partially replace natural coarse aggregate (granite) at a percentage replacement of 0%, 20%, 30% and 40% respectively. Metakaolin based geopolymer binder was also used to completely replace cement. Grade 25 concrete containing RCA was produced and the durability properties of this concrete were studied. GPC specimens produced were cured in an oven at a temperature of 60oC for 24hrs after which some of the specimens exposed MgSO4 and its effect tested after 28 and 56days curing age and abrasion resistance, absorption capacity of some specimens were also tested after 28 and 56days curing age. The result shows that compressive strength obtained for GPC specimens with 0%, 20%, 30% and 40% cured in MgSO4 at 56days are 31.54N/mm2, 31.17N/mm2, 28.55 N/mm2 and 26.40N/mm2 respectively. The increases in percentage replacement of RCA, lead to the decrease in compressive strength of GPC specimens though the desired concrete grade was achieved. This research concludes that Metakaolin Based Geopolymer Concrete (MKGPC) containing RCA has good durability properties and should be used for structural concrete.

The existence of non-interacting parallel data in the field of crop science would require a sound statistical analysis. We have utilized a computational ODE 45 approach to analyze this problem. The novel contribution of this study is presented and discussed in this paper.

A RESEARCH DOCUMENT TO AIDE SCHOOLS IN INTRODUCING MOBILE DEVICES TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING “CASE OF KAKUNA CAPITAL SCHOOL”

A study into the implementation of a mobile learning device solution focused on a real school with teaching solutions to problem faced by the teachers throughout the project and requirement set out through consultation with senior member of staff. The main objective was to create a document that would benefit others who are either considering implementing new mobile devices or are looking for solutions to a current educational problem. As technology advances, the need to integrate mobile learning in to the secondary educational sector is necessary to respond to the changing learning environment faced by today’s children who are more technology dependent and aware than ever before. This project investigates the advantages and disadvantages of mobile learning and whether it is a suitable teaching and learning approach in secondary schools today. In this article the focus is on teaching and learning and the attitudes of students towards the use of mobile learning in schools. Research involved qualitative and quantitative data to be analyzed which included, questionnaires, classroom observations, interviews with teachers as well as designing and testing of a mobile learning prototype. The research was carried out at Kaduna Capital School, a secondary school based in Isa Kaita Unguwar Rimi Kaduna which allowed research on the project to be carried out with its students. Results of the research indicated there was a lack of investment in technology in secondary schools and training of non ICT teachers, with limited mobile learning resources also being utilized within classroom teaching and learning. It was also found that a majority of students and all teachers had a positive view towards mobile learning in education. The project concludes that more training and investment in technology in schools is essential and that mobile learning approach along with traditional teaching methods would be suitable in secondary school today.

Keywords: School, Mobile, Learning, Education, Computer

ON THE DATA DISPERSION AND DATA PRECISION OF DETERMINISTIC INTERACTING AGRICULTURAL DATA

The theory and application of agricultural data depend on a sound statistical reasoning of which data dispersion and data precision are no exception. In this context, we have utilized a computational approach to determine the extent of data dispersion and data precision of deterministic interacting agricultural data. The key contributions of this research that we have not seen elsewhere have been presented and discussed in this paper.

Internet business has come a long way as a lucrative business in our technological world. This business involves three set of persons viz. the domain owners, the domain hosts and the domain visitors. Despite the huge amount of money made by the domain owners and hosts every minute of the day, Nigerian institutions (both staff and students) are largely visitors instead of domain owners. As the present Nigerian government is working hard to diversify the country’s economy, this paper looks into how institutions can modify their local websites for learning purposes and generation of revenue. The paper adopted survey as its methodology, with purposive sampling of staff and students of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria to determine their perception on the subject matter about their school. A total of two hundreds and eighty-four returned questionnaires were analysed. Findings revealed that significant number of staff and students visit the internet for academic purposes but little or no solutions come from indigenous schools. Also, institutions rarely show interest in generating revenue using their internet websites. Both staff and students believe that school websites can be improved to help students academically. It was recommended that, the management of higher institutions should invest more in their website in order to make it academically beneficial and subsequently increase the generation of revenue.

A modified Bessel’s differential equation of order two has a general method of solution. We have used an alternative method of re-casting this model equation into a continuous system of two first order ordinary differential equations that has enabled the calculation of a trivial steady-state solution which we have tested it to be dominantly unstable and hence can be further stabilized. The contribution of this idea is fully presented and discussed in this paper.